Eczema in Children

Question 1

How commin is eczema in children/

Answer 1

15-20% of children

Question 2

At what age does if typically present?

Answer 2

6 months old

Question 3

What is the prognosis of eczema in children?

Answer 3

50% of cases clear up by 5 years of age.

75% clear up by 10 years of age.

Question 4

Where does eczema often occur by childhood stage (infants, younger, older children)?

Answer 4

Infants - Face and trunk

Younger children - extensor surfaces

Older children - more typical distribution - flexor surfaces and the creases of face and neck.

Question 5

How do you manage eczema in children?

Answer 5

1. Avoid irritants
2. Simple emollients
3. Topical steroids
4. In severe cases wet wraps and oral ciclosporin may be used

Question 6

When using both an emollient and a topical steroid, how should you apply them both?

Answer 6

The emollient should be applied first followed by waiting at least 30 minutes before applying the topical steroid.

Question 7

What ratio of emollients to steroids should you prescribe?

Answer 7

• Roughly in a ratio of emollients to topical steroids of 10:1.

Question 8

What sort of emollient dispenser is better and why? (pump or pot)

Answer 8

A pump is better because a pot can have bacteria growing in it from repeatedly putting fingers in it.

Question 9

What emollients soak into the skin faster, creams or ointments?

Answer 9

Creams

Question 10

What quantities of emollients do you want to prescribe a week?

Answer 10

LOTS

>250g/week